Breaking News: Vittorio Missoni Feared Missing

The plane carrying Vittorio Missoni, the head of the Missoni family business, and his wife Maurizia Castiglioni, went missing on Friday in Venezuela, WWD reports. The plane disappeared off the radar.

The single engine plane—which had two other passengers and two pilots—was headed to the Simon Bolivar International airport in Maiquetia. The plane is currently being searched for. Luca, Missoni's younger brother who helps run the brand, traveled to Venezuela to take part in the search efforts, according to ABC. The New York Times reports that the other family members have congregated to a villa near the company headquarters in Sumirago, Italy. While the offices are closed in Milan, an employee who wishes to remain anonymous is answering phones, "because a lot of employees are calling to get information, but we have very little news to tell them."

"The small plane they were traveling on has disappeared. This is all the information currently available," the company released in a statement to WWD. "We are relying on the work of the Farnesina [Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs] and all the institutions involved, to whom we are grateful for the prompt activities in the research. As more information becomes available the company will issue further statements."

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[UPDATE]

While the rescue teams have continued to search tirelessly, the plane and its passengers are still missing.

Despite this trying time, the Missoni family remains hopeful. As reported by the Telegraph via La Repubblica, Vittorio Missoni's sister, Angela—who also serves as chief designer of the fashion house—opened up in an interview.

"Our hope is that he is still alive," she said. "We want to hope, because for us it is important. I think in a moment difficult like this one, any family would desire what we would like: respect for our privacy."